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BEAUTIFUL
VISION
The Gallery in
Barry is ringing
everyone’s bells
with its cocktails
and groovy vibe,
sophisticated
morning coffees,
contemporary
funky design and
not forgetting its
fabulous food.
We find out why.
Who is the owner of The Gallery?
The Gallery is family owned and
family run and we’ve been open now
for fifteen months.
What made you decide to buy
The Gallery?
A moment of madness! No, seriously,
we wanted to set up our business in
an area where we could become a
‘local’ and provide a personal service.
I really wanted to combine my design
background with my experience in
the food industry and my passion for
food and wine.
What was the building used for
before you purchased it?
The building was a six bedroom guest
house with a small twenty cover
restaurant on the ground floor that
was best known for its breakfasts.
The overall theme was corridors with
dark spaces and very pink and floral.
What changes have you made?
We started with gutting the building.
Then came new staircases, a new
atrium, an open plan bar and
restaurant, and open fire places.
I aimed to keep the best of the old
and add a contemporary edge.
What style of food do you serve?
Brasserie food. Homemade real
cooking with real flavours using
Welsh produce and sustainable fish to
create a menu that borrows from
traditional Celtic cuisine and peasant
food. Appetising and honest.
Who is the chef?
For my sins, I am.
What is your background?
By education, design, by passion,
catering. This industry is something
people don’t aim for - it finds you.
Thirteen years in the trade and the
buzz of a full restaurant of happy
faces is still as strong.
Describe your wine list?
Eclectic collection of boutique wines
from small producers championing
lesser known varieties and classics
that represent incredible value.
What do you think is important
about running a good restaurant?
Attention to detail in everything you
strive for and to provide a total
experience and, above all, honesty
and integrity with great value and
real cooking to boot.
Why do you think The Gallery is
so special?
Where else in the country can you sit
at a table designed by the chef on a
restaurant floor designed by that
same chef and choose from a menu
designed by the architect and cooked
by the furniture designer who is also
the previously mentioned chef.
Tell us more about your American
barman. He’s becoming very
popular so we hear!
Steve popped his head in to the then
building site when I was still in my
hard hat desperately trying to
complete the build on time, we
talked about food, wine and the
industry. We shared the same ethos.
So as we got closer to completion his
number was the first I called.
To summarise, he blends the best
cocktails in south Wales and really
knows his wine and food. If you
believe the rumours he is also wanted
by the F.B.I. (so your discretion is
appreciated).
Note from editor: My husband says
Steve makes the best White Russian!
Who comes here?
I think what we are offering here
caters for all occasions and age ranges
– from morning coffees and papers
through to evening cocktail drinking
and eating. I see The Gallery as
somewhere you can call in for a
casual pint or snack or as a place
to celebrate something special.
We have had a great and very positive
response. People seem to really like
what we are doing here.
What events do you hold?
Our first music event was held
on December 8th and many more
will follow in the New Year.
Also coming up in the New Year
are more Gourmet Evenings and
Special Wine Tasting Events.
Tell us about the art
We have a revolving exhibition of art.
We hang a completely different
exhibition every two months. We try
to exhibit local artists – some are well
known and established, others are upand-
coming. All of the art is for sale
and as the exhibitions change it gives
you something new to look at each
time you visit The Gallery.
What are your future plans?
We are really pleased with what
we’ve achieved at The Gallery.
We want to carry on maintaining the
high standards of food and service
our customers enjoy, while
continually driving our business
forward. We all have a real passion
for what we’re doing and we think
that what we’ve created is good for
the area, good for Barry and also
good for the Vale of Glamorgan.
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